Bud Leeds mixes it up

Leeds, Van Deusen

Clarinetist Bud Leeds always pulls together a band that puts on a good show, you just never know walking in the door what you're going to hear. Such was the case at the South County Jazz Club's November 19 matinee concert at ther Venice FL Art Center.

Bobby van Deusen, a keyboard marvel on the traditional jazz scene, was in town from Pensacola for the gig. He is playing this weekend at the Suncoast Jazz Classic in Clearwater Beach with the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band.

Kenny Washington in Naples (updated)

Kenny Washington

California-based singer Kenny Washington wowed the crowd Wednesday night, November 18, when he was special guest with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for two shows at Daniels Pavilion.

The sextet includes Jerry Stawski on piano, Lew Del Gatto on tenor sax, Dan Miller on trumpet, Glenn Basham on violin, Kevin Mauldin on bass and Mike Harvey on drums. 

Looking Ahead: Southwest Florida jazz concert preview

The 2015-16 jazz concert season is underway and will continue through May, bolstered by the gradual arrival of the snowbirds. Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through January. I’ll post updated lists as the season progresses.
 

Dave Pruyn

• Wednesday, November 18 – California-based singer Kenny Washington joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, December 13 – The Four Freshmen in concert. South County Jazz Club series, Glenridge Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, 2 p.m.
• Monday, December 14 – Singer-trumpeter-drummer Dave Pruyn and his Jazz Legacy Big Band in concert, Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series. Cultural Center of Charlotte County. 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 16 – Trombonist Robin Eubanks joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 18 – Guitarist Nate Najar’s All-Star Big Band, with Harry Allen, Jon-Erik Kellso, John Lamb. Ken Peplowski, Chuck Redd, Jeff Rupert and others, presents a Big Band Jazz Holiday concert. Jazz Club of Sarasota, Riverview Performing Arts Center, Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 6 – Guitarist Joe Cohn joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for the sextet’s monthly All That Jazz concert. Daniels Pavilion, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

  

  Nicki Parrott

• Sunday, January 10 – The Naples Jazz Orchestra opens its seventh season celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s classic Sinatra at the Sands recording at the big band’s new home, Titans Auditorium, located just off I-75’s exit 101 at 2925 Titan Way, Naples. The 7 p.m. concert will feature singer Walt Andrus.
• Monday, January 11, 2016 – Drummer Eddie Metz’s trio with bassist Nicki Parrott and pianist Rossano Sportiello. Charlotte County Jazz Society‘s Artists Series. Cultural Center of Charlotte County. 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 12 – Trombonist Herb Bruce and his Herbicide Dixieland Band. South County Jazz Club performance, Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 7 p.m. 

Several local restaurants (including J.D.’s in Port Charlotte, The Orange House in Punta Gorda, Fandango in Sarasota, and The Roadhouse in Ft. Myers, offer jazz steadily. A variety of matinee concerts sponsored all season by the Jazz Club of Sarasota and the South County Jazz Club also keep things swinging for jazz lovers.  

The Jazz Songbook investigated with chops galore

Jerry Stawski

Pianist Jerry Stawski's sextet brought more than all-star chops to its Charlotte County Jazz Society concert in Port Charlotte FL on Monday, November 9. Through thoughtful programming, it also brought a reminder that there is much more to jazz than the Great American Songbook.